Lord's Name in Vain Question

[cupertinodoug]

I think I have a new angle on a subject I have seen a few times here.

I used to have a problem with phrases such as “GD”, but upon finding out it was a mortal sin, went to Reconciliation and have done a pretty good job of abstaining from using it again. Now, I feel guilty when I even think it.

However, when I get angry, I still sometimes use creative nouns and verbs after the word “Holy”. Caught myself doing it today before I could stop myself and immediately felt awful. I know it’s wrong and am trying to repent, but would you say it in the “mortal sin” category?

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

I think I have a new angle on a subject I have seen a few times here.

I used to have a problem with phrases such as “GD”, but upon finding out it was a mortal sin, went to Reconciliation and have done a pretty good job of abstaining from using it again. Now, I feel guilty when I even think it.

However, when I get angry, I still sometimes use creative nouns and verbs after the word “Holy”. Caught myself doing it today before I could stop myself and immediately felt awful. I know it’s wrong and am trying to repent, but would you say it in the “mortal sin” category?

I think you mean to say that with regards to mortal sin, it could be serious matter? But if you are avoiding the Lord’s name, it seems like you haven’t broken the commandment even though it is still too close for comfort. Also, one still has to have the deliberate intention, do they not?

I have just been recently fighting a flare up of old bad language, and it is usually more vulgar and filthy than taking the Lord’s name in vain, although I fear I may have done that too. Being involuntary ejaculations, even though these angry words are a revealer of inward vices, I have thought myself free of mortal sin. It seems like a proper subject for Confession before my next Holy Communion but I don’t think I have completely fallen from grace.

If I I did not consent to the urge to say it, and only thought of it, I would almost think of it as a virtuous response to temptation. Along with your resisting saying it, resolve to offer a brief but powerful ejaculatory prayer every time you are tempted. This will show yourself that you have truly chosen to love God, and might help your guilty conscience without being burdensome.

All that said, I am open to hear other and contrary views of those who might be better acquainted with the Church’s teaching on the First Commandment and how easily or not it may be violated mortally and venially. Apparently, it is always grave matter, if we use the name of the Lord. What about using a bad word after “holy”?

Rory

 

[JRKH]

I think it might be helpful to understand that taking the Lords name in vain is actually a couple of different things.
First, and most strictly, taking His name in vain would speak to making oaths. If one makes an oath before God and dose not fulfill it, God will hold him responsible for that vain pledge.
Second is the idea of respect. Using the Lords Name lightly is, at least, disrespectful and at most blasphemous.
Third is the issue of something being vulgar. To a large extent that is what you are asking about here.

The use of “Holy @#$%” is certainly not taking the Lords name in vain, but it is being disrespectful to the very Idea of God, faith, Sancity and Holiness. In this sense the sin would be more against the first commandment as Christ expresses it in the passage Mt 22:36-40.
…YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment.
Can we, in good conscience, use the term “Holy @#$%” and beleive we are Loving God properly? I don’t. Now whether it is a Mortal sin or a venial one, this is best discussed with your confessor. My guess is it is not mortal, but is clearly a vice that needs addressed.

Peace
James

 

[Dj87]

Being involuntary ejaculations, even though these angry words are a revealer of inward vices, I have thought myself free of mortal sin

Could you ar anyone elaborate on this. I to have struggled with Language and Using the Lord’s name (name removed by moderator)roperly is one that comes up in my confessions frequently. These words are sincerely without intent, but ejaculations they come out without me even realizing it. I am working on it and improving but am trying to understand why those words come first and uncontrolled

 

[JRKH]

Could you ar anyone elaborate on this. I to have struggled with Language and Using the Lord’s name (name removed by moderator)roperly is one that comes up in my confessions frequently. These words are sincerely without intent, but ejaculations they come out without me even realizing it. I am working on it and improving but am trying to understand why those words come first and uncontrolled

Without knowing your background, I’d say the simple answer is thye come from a deeply ingrained cultural habit. We’ve all heard these things growing up from all sorts of adults (maybe even in our own families) and on movies etc.
As we become teens we use them because we see it as “grown up” (like smoking), and before we know it we’re hooked on a Pavlovian treadmill - A given stimuli produces an involuntary, but consistant response.

In such cases one must change something more general than just the response.
First, one should try to avoid situations that bring on such responses (people places events)
Second, one needs to begin looking at how they respond, not just in certain situations, but in all situations. This should lead to speaking less in general, but saying more, because your statements and responses are more reasoned and thought out.

So in short, to break the cycle, practice silence, and avoid (in so far as possible) situations that spur inappropriate responses.

Peace
James

 

[alitaptap]

I think I have a new angle on a subject I have seen a few times here.

I used to have a problem with phrases such as “GD”, but upon finding out it was a mortal sin, went to Reconciliation and have done a pretty good job of abstaining from using it again. Now, I feel guilty when I even think it.

However, when I get angry, I still sometimes use creative nouns and verbs after the word “Holy”. Caught myself doing it today before I could stop myself and immediately felt awful. I know it’s wrong and am trying to repent, but would you say it in the “mortal sin” category?

I knew someone who uses my name to skip a long line of applicants and was immediately entertained by the guard. The owner of the company is my friend.
It helps him.

Look at the other angle. What if somebody uses your name on a bank loan. How do you feel?

 

[corsair]

I can fully sympathise with your feelings on this subject. I, too, have a problem along these lines.
But I try to be brutally honest about it. What does the Commandment say? “Thou shalt not use the Lord’s name in vain.” It doesn’t address any mitigating circumstances. It just says “Thou shalt not”. So IF I did, then I’ll not try to rationalise. I’ll confess it and let God do his work.

 

[Robert_Burns]

I think I have a new angle on a subject I have seen a few times here.

I used to have a problem with phrases such as “GD”, but upon finding out it was a mortal sin, went to Reconciliation and have done a pretty good job of abstaining from using it again. Now, I feel guilty when I even think it.

However, when I get angry, I still sometimes use creative nouns and verbs after the word “Holy”. Caught myself doing it today before I could stop myself and immediately felt awful. I know it’s wrong and am trying to repent, but would you say it in the “mortal sin” category?

In moral theology - this is a “Full Consent of the Will” question. Can using the Lords name in vain be a mortal sin? Indeed it can if by full consent you mean to call down damnation on your neighbor which of course is a sin against charity and the total disregard for their salvation - even perhaps hatred for the individual. Or using the Lords name in vain 200 times a day and thus having contempt for GOD.

But to say in anger or slip up and use it as profanity not fully meaning to call damnation down on someone or something is probably a venial sin in most cases.

Now - all that being said - saying “oh my g-d” or things such as that is likewise a bad habit that can be construed as an unnecessary oath as well

All of these instances should be confessed whether Venial or Mortal IMO. Because sins of the speech can give bad example as well. Overcoming these types of sins can make us all better Catholics and thus more pleasing to GOD.

Hope this helps

Pax

 

[cupertinodoug]

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut everyone. While I feel I have broken the habit of explicitly saying the Lord’s name in vain, I still have work to do. Even today, I went on an internal rant and found myself “thinking” God’s name in an unflattering way. Could I have controlled it? I guess I sort of did be not saying it, but the mere thought still reflects my sinful nature.

Also, I had figured my sins in this area, whatever the degree, merited mention in Confession. However, I struggle with being a little overly specious/legalistic and having misplaced guilt. So, I was asking if it was mortal sin because I was concerned if it was something I should confess before my next Communion. I am leaning towards believing it not being necessary.

 

[HauntedJame]

I think I have a new angle on a subject I have seen a few times here.

I used to have a problem with phrases such as “GD”, but upon finding out it was a mortal sin, went to Reconciliation and have done a pretty good job of abstaining from using it again. Now, I feel guilty when I even think it.

However, when I get angry, I still sometimes use creative nouns and verbs after the word “Holy”. Caught myself doing it today before I could stop myself and immediately felt awful. I know it’s wrong and am trying to repent, but would you say it in the “mortal sin” category?

No, it isn’t…you go and confess and it washes it away. You feel bad…that’s pretty much repenting.

There’s this wonderful line from somewhere…

Vicar has a bad hangover and his wife is in the kitchen…

Vicar: “Oh God”
Wife: “Taking the Lord’s name in vain…”
Vicar: “It’s a dialogue, darling…”

 

[RosaryCrusader]

There is a good and holy Priest who has sermons online at audiosancto.com who has an easy fix to saying God’s name in vain but you have to be willing to do it each and every time no matter where you are. Immediately upon realizing you used God’s holy name in vain you get down on your hands and knees and make the sign of the cross on the ground with your tongue - no matter where you are - even if it’s over a dunghill. He says people come back cured of their sinful habit after a couple of times of doing it.

I once had to do it. The memory will not leave you.

 

[Robert_Burns]

There is a good and holy Priest who has sermons online at audiosancto.com who has an easy fix to saying God’s name in vain but you have to be willing to do it each and every time no matter where you are. Immediately upon realizing you used God’s holy name in vain you get down on your hands and knees and make the sign of the cross on the ground with your tongue - no matter where you are - even if it’s over a dunghill. He says people come back cured of their sinful habit after a couple of times of doing it.

I once had to do it. The memory will not leave you.

In the Raccolta there are two prayers to be said , not only whenever you utters a sinful profanity up to and including the Lords name in Vain. And Act of Contrition is one.And for the lords name in Vain

"Blessed Be GOD Blessed be his Holy Name - Blessed be the Holy name of Jesus - the Only name by which men are saved. "

Say that prayer not only when you have slipped - but also when you hear someone else use the Lords Name in Vain. It wont be long before you have overcome that sin.